Universal joint



'torque with .the

,cm1-:u omer.

cmL'roN, narrow, NEW grits-:Ey

masses. 1

.realm/mamy amm'.-

-Be it4 known `thati'l, RonANn -CHfr. 'roN, subject :of the King ofv.England,"-resident of Keypor't, in the county 'of Monmouth and State "oiNew Jersey, 'have .invented certain new 'andiuseful Improvements'in Universal ',Ioints, of which the following is. va specifi-I cationf.- v

The in v.' en'tionrelates in gener-a1 to, an im- ',proveine'nt inzexible driving vcouplings' for installation between a driving. .and driven member 'ns'ituations where permissiblerelative movement of theV members in' certain directions desired While maintaining fix-y ell-ness of relative position. 'considered 'I cir#l cumzferentially of the-mean axis of rotatfonf ofthe drivingand driven member s,'an"d s pel ci'fically the inventionv relatesv to an improvement-:in iexible eouplingscof the type dis-.- .closed-in my copending application, Serial:

Nn.' 289,358, lel .April 11,l 1919;

The'previous disclosure' Was characterized by a coupl-in .-cvvhichcincludedhub members,

connecting the' end' portions and extejid ir'igV radially outward from thecommonaxis 4of rotatioln '-lt is appreciated that inj dev-icesy i the type disclosed, it -is necessary', in order to obtain the requisite ltransmission of rotary least amount of metal, thatl vthe metal be z distributed Withfitsfgreatest cross-'sectional' dimension 'extendir 1g tangent -or substantially tangent, tothe clrcle. of ro;

tation ofthe' driving driven elements defini'ng oppositeends' of the-coupling.' This l the-req1`1irement-insuc structures of etlijoint with straight sided `plates such Specification of Letters profile of four triangles,

' "UivlVEnSAL iroiivccj rotated ,under angular ,deflectlom vthe leaves 'ratentedluav 31,1921. f A ppiicaaa mea may 2s, 192e. .serial No. 384,851. Y

constitutingr the spring vrstructure will tend 4 ultimately to fail due to fatigue fractures. With these parallel sided leaves the linefof break -W1ll occur 'first at the root "of the springs, that iswhe're 'they .join the hub members, and thenat the crown, that is at tlie, 11ne `of A4Junctiiref.between ther two lleaf-elements."

v One o t theobjectsof the pre-'sent .disclo-4 sure is toir'etain, as far as vis' economically POSSbll-, all of the; advantages-4 relative to In Aso fares the' derv angular` distortion isfc'o n eerne'd,` I' attainl .thefinvention byfproviding;.A4 asprig'couf, j

fCQnsiderin-g' from me technical Seite jpoint,; each lamina loffthe structu herein ,illustrated constitutes aaspebia'l vcase off'a 'beam orliatspri-ngfxed' toits abutment at either *end,-thef.spring-:being bent at its in this specialfcase According to fthe; genera-'1l principles lof- `such springs,

`'-points .fof -maximum bending movement .oc-

cur at the vcenter and,at each end, which are ac *cord'inglypoints of weaknessin beams ofuniform cross-,section belng l'the points where maximum bending and stress are con# centrated, and where, accordlngly, fatigue fractures limitthefdegree of safe deflection.

Sucli b 'eams'are accordingly made'pf maximum section at .the ends andv at the. center,

and in the case of beams of luniform thick` ness, uniform deiection, e., circular defiection. is 'achieved 'by givingthe beama at the center and ends,I (corresponding crowns and roots vof the springs of this d1sclosure); `The apices of the triangles abut having their bases I allel section. A

v missible in a structure which is. subject to shear loads or edgewise bending.

Accordingly vone of the objects of the invention is to provide a structure of the class described, which will approximate the theoretical triangular profile .toward thel roots and crowns of the leaves while departing from this ideal form to provide a substantial width between these points of maximum bend therebyto obtain the edgewise strength necessary to transmit rotary torque or pressure. v

In order further to profile necessary to attain circular deflection there is disclosed as partof the laminated -driving structure additional stub 'leaves positioned at the roots of the spring structure and which can have the ltheoretical triangular profile and will restrainythe vdriving structure to the theoretical circular deflection.

Considering the torque .transmitting capacity of the,joi'nt, it willeie obvious that each radially etending plate constitutesl a cantaliver vwhich would be subject to pure edgewise loading if the crowns of the leaves could be made of theoretically sharp lV form; Constructi'onal limitations make it difficult to achieve this, but it is desirable to reduce the radius ofcurvature at the crown, or point of juncture of the two leaf elements to a minimum. f lAccordingly7 another object of this invention is to provide a crown edge to the conjunction of the cantaliver side plates of the V-spring structure which 1s rounded.. with the smallest possible diameter of curva-,. ture but whose radius is not sharper than the ductilityfof the` metal will permit.

In structures of the type discussed the frequent and sometimes rapid lbending of the spring plate at its juncture with the endv elements or hub members develops an additional and frequently severe local bending Awhich seriously impairs the durability of vthe structure. f

It is well known thatin a structure subject to rapid fl'exure, sudden changes of section causelocalization of stress and bending and laccordingly invite fatigue fractures.

Accordingly, another object of the in- 'ention is to provide a .reinforcing means for minimizing the destructive effect of local bendings at the .Connection of the feature the triangular j an inspection ment at the rootsof the spring vstructures is effectively attainedby cutting back the outer lamina from the crown edge `of ythe V-shaped extension and in this way forms the redundant or stub leaves.

In practice it is found that the change in angle between thev axis of rotation of the end members causes the laminas on the acute side of the` angleto crowd'together and accordingly the invention contemplates a spring structure in which the laminae are initiallyy set in slightly spaced apart position to minimize resistance to the angular change. j l

The rigid attachment of the ends of an assemblage of laminated springs to a driving member is a matter of some construc-l tional difficulty if carried' out by the common method lof bolts or other clamping devices. Great accuracy Yof constructionfis calledfor `to insure exact correspondence of fit between the spring endsand the fixing members in orderto avoid local or initial stress and distortion in' clamping ory boltingx A up, which must be carried out with great rigidity to avoid the possibility of the springs moving in theirjfixin'gs under drivn ing loads. Such accuracy is difficult toa obtain in manufacturing and in the specific type of spring shown, as the lbends at the4 roots of the springs are conveniently made by bending the assemblage of lamina all together wherefromv it follows that each lamina from its neighbor, and thatl any holt or dowel holes or other fixingmeans must be located at a. different distance from the bend in each leafv in order that all such holes shall aline perfectly. v

Accordingly, another object of the in- .vention is to provide a simple construction for holding the laminas of the plate structure rigidly in prefixed position. This is most conveniently attainedby casting the hubs onto the assembled plates.

, Various other objects and advantages of the inve-ntionwill be in part obvious from of the accompanying drawings and in part will .be'mo're fully set forth in the following particularl description of' one form of mechanism embodying my invention. and 'the inventionv also consists in has a'diflerent radius of curvature certain new and novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter Set forth` and claimed.

' are provided With-thejplates'll and '13,* but In the accompanying drawings:` Figure l is an axial sectionalview taken through a preferred embodiment of the invention v and .showing the same' in operative engagement with a driving and driven shaft, showninnormal position, and with one 'end of the upperspringstructure'shown in -side elevation. The showingis Specifically iden-I away to show the interlocking .of .the springf.

claims, parts will be "identified by-v specific" infames' 'gior convenience 'of expression .-but

theyare intended to. be 'as` generic in, their '3; applicationl tofsimilar parts as the 'art'jwill :per-mit... 4.

A. inthe drawings thereuis shown a d riving` 'sh-aft 105 provided] with a.n'attacl 1ing.fae' inlet@11; and. a driven -Sheftirrovided :with asimilar plate 13; between Y contiguousend `18 to"form.a'b'as'e edge 21 atv -its'reslge 1t ivefhub4 member. The structure fas.; tht-is"v farf deseribed''corres'porulsl 'inn' general way; .to thedisclosure in my prior applicag tion, Satalino. 289,358.

1.1 and is 'positioned 'auntary reformed- Stluietilr-infheforhi Of @ipe sidi# "tine .'Oliping. 'illUStratiIlg ".preferred emi-1' if()"dini'e'lilg'.v of lthe invention. This; coupling includes-massive end hub members 1 4 andf' attached respectivelyl to -thej platesfll and 13 by' means of the usual .fastening through lbolts 1 6. This plate connecting construction is illustrated because"theftransmission shafts of automobile Istructures now iiiA generaljuse itispreferable, oii'the ground' of economy in constructi'on. and` use' 'of 'materiaL that the 'huh members lili-and 15 be of no greater diameter than is' necessary to contain the 'ends of' the spring plate structures 17- These spring plate structures are shown to be threein numberand disposed 120.0` .apart about the Acommon and .normal axis of rotation indicated bythe lineA 4---c inFig.' 1, but

it is; understood that. there "is, `nothing peculiar in the selectionof the three spring Structure, exceptv thatgin most situations a balanced spring structure about the common v aXisof rotation is preferable but not necessar gs the 'organization of ,each 0f these v spring-plate structures is similar, the descriptionof anyone'lwill besuiicient for the others. Each ralityof thin' wide sheets of spring metal,-V' shaped in. side elevationas particularly shown on the upper part of 'F ig. 14,' rested one on theother or rather with a very slight space Vbetween each lamlna to provlde a laminatedstructure preferabl)v in which the laminee or rather the middle portion of the i 835 lamina@ is capable of -very slight' relative structure is made up of a' plu-' movement.v Opposite ends ofthe-laminated structure are in the formofout-turned and 1 parallel' end'fportions 18 which "have their .greatest cross-Sectional width eXtending `tan-' gent to the circlefo- 'rotatiomf asshown 'in Fig. 3. Theend portions of the 'laminated structuresx arei securely held together in 'this position'and fixed againstY relative move- 1 ment.- This securing. of the. thin sheets" de.. .1-

fining the ends of the structures 'i' s' rnostf readily 'attained by cast-ing thehub members onto the 'ends thereby to securely anchor the same 1n position free 'o' initial loads.. One

means lfor effecting this locatingr of *the* spring' plates relative to each, other isjmore .i fully disclosed in my copending application, 'Serial No. 397,790, led-July'j20f1920, on" method and apparatus'for assembling spring vCoupling structures. f3 The. middle "portion of-.th'e spring, struc- Aoutward j rom`-the 'c ommoli` axis of rotation b---GLtoyformaivishaped extension; This V- crownedge 20. '.Eac'h' side' coacts with; its.

vOneof the features of tion 'ofthe lsides 1 9aiid 190L :of each o f 'thef The middle portion .laminated structures;

n novelty inthepires;k i ,ent disclosure relates to the cut-away por-j"- of these sides considered circumferentiallyi i vofthe circle. of. rotation-(see Fig.A 3) isuoff each ofthe sides lare slightly. curvedfasshownlat 23 and tend to correspond y{ rfenerally t 0th'e` opposite sides ofthe vtheoretl'cal The. connect-fl;

triangle previously discussed.

ing'middle portion 24 'of each'edg'efis subi l'stanti'allystraight and connects the flattenedfoutportions of 'the sidesof'lthetrifl',

angles or rather the dat curves amends.. s l

The 1 vleal-' construction" consideredfmatne# matically would necessitate ,tlie1-fo1n`liation'of'n the crown edge 20 as'4 asharpjangleandfm.

this 'disclosure the 'anglewill beso regarded.;

However', it is obvious `thatsiichastructure when made ofv metal is practically. impose'-f sible and in order `to atta-inthe sharp edge as ar'as practicable iti'stobe,,considered `that the edge 2O -isl bentv about ."af'crcular form, vthediameter' of which! is asZ smalla's can be made, takinginto consideration the` ductility'oi1 the particular metal used. lAs the plates are. made ot4 thin metal and the crown edges of the succeeding laminae are spaced apart as shown 1n Flgs. 11and.2,.

:an unusually snarp edge can be attained Q and' at the same time be capable of respondingreadily both'to the transmission of ro-- tary torque andl to the rapid changing of angles between the sides 19 and 19,, When therhubs are rotating at high speedsl about different axes.

In l,structures of the type disclosed, it is apparent that there is a'sharp bending along `l1,he, `,edlges 21 which ten'dto crack the spring :plates along the vline of this edge. In order l "Lto minimize, if not entirely eliminate local bending at this point, and at the same time provide a structure Which-'will tend to assume, atleast in so .far as the ends are concerned, the ideal four-triangle beam i. preferably made of thicker material than' Structure, the outermost laminae is cut backv from the crown edge 2O to-orm a pair kor' redundantl plates 25 and 26 on opposite sides of each laminated plate structure.l

lThese plates fit-in the angle formed by each side and its adjacent end'portion 1.8. This structure causes the outermost Vftorming lamina and successively each lamina therebeneath to bend, about the outer plate vduring the relative angular movement of the axis of the hub members.

In order to further feature the structure required by the theoretical bea structure discussed, the redundant plates are the 'driving laminas and may be of the tri- Aangular form in plan shown in-Fig. 3.

In a further effort to build. up the plate "structure at its roots, and thus tend toward circular deflection of the structure as a Whole under distorting strains, additional thickredundant plates 27 and 28 constitute vthe' innermost-laminas of each structure. It

obviously within the" scope of this disclosure to multiply the number of -redundant plates used. In order to secure the end portions 18 in the hub member against any possible edgevvise movement opposite ledges of the end portions are provided'with Vrecesses 29 into which the material'of the hubs flow during the'process of casting the ,X vshovvn'fin Fig. 3 and revenez circular deectionand thus tend to make this S-orm of uniform curvature from end to end and free of local bends.

By means of' adevice of this character there is retained all of the "advantages relative to rotary rigidity inherent in the structures disclosed in my previous application and at the same time there is an velimination of breakage A,which Would otherwise occur when sudden changes of section are subjected to shock'.A

As the structureis designed, in so far as is physically possible, on the plan of a beam possessing circular deflection, the maximum possible langular flexibility is attained and breaks are reduced to a minimum.

' The castingof the hub members directly onto the relatively long ends of the spring structure acts to securely anchor the lamina in its prefixed position, eliminates the possibility of the lamina becoming loosened from .the driving or driven member under Vconditions ot severe use, and provides a relatively Y greatdepth of sectionv at the roots of ,th

structure free ot initial loads,

. The presence ofthe redundant plates act `to eliminate local bending at the place Where isuch an action is most likely to occur with the result that tendencies to crack under I excessive strain, metal fatigue are mini- 'mized. The device is characterized by an iextremely high eiliciency for it has practically one hundred per cent. etliciency under the small angular 'changes of axes to which such devices are subjected when constituting part of an automobile power system.

While I have shown and described,f and have ponted out inthe annexed claims, certain Iiovel features of my invention, it

will be understoodl that various om1s- 5,

sions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art Without departing Jfrom the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An elastic shaft coupling comprising -tWo coupling members, each mounted for rotary movement about an axis extending substantially in the same general direction, and spring plate structures connecting the coupling 'members, said structures each having end portions'extending substantially tangent to the circle of rotation of the attached members and including flat sides coacting to form approximately V-shaped spring extensions connecting the end porltions'o said structures, each of said flat 'j 'slight S-shaped form in cross-section, and v the structure disclosed With its approach to 'the four triangle prole will tend toward sides being connected along one base edge With the'contiguous coupling member and connected along the opposite edge with each other to form the crown edge atthemngle of the V', said at sides being reduced i'n Width circumferentially of the circle of rotation between said connected edges thereby to feaile 60 n l7*. In anjelasticshaft coupling, the com-` bination of a spring plate member V-shaped -Sture circular deflection while maintainingv couplingmember tozthe'oth'er'. y

2. In a device'ofth'e class described, the

icapacitv to transmit rotar-y'- motion from one Combination of a driving and driven member each* mounted.v for/rotary'l movement l,about .its respective axes, flexible' means supplates each havmcgl- 1 plelnenting each other for connecting the dr1v1ng-and-'dr1ven members, said means 'lncludlng a sprlng plate structure .with the tional width exten ng substantially in the directionof rotation of one of said members' .and having 4less, widthl c'ircumferentially of Said direction of rotation at its middle 'width than at the base edges. adjacent the driving and drivenl members.

v 8. In 'a device of theclass described, the

combinationof ai driven and driving ele! -20.

mentmountedfor rotary movement, a flex; ible 'connection'. therebetween including a 'spring'- plate .with its middleportion projecting radially relativato saidi'a'xis ofrotation, to form a double'cantaliver exten lso sion, the 'mid-portions of the *sidesof` the Vbeing of'less width, considered in the di- ;rection tangent-'to the circle of "rotation, than. the wldth of the side's'measured adj a nent' its connection with. said elements.

4. In' a device of the class described,'the

,cmbinatio'n of 'a drivenand driving element` mounted for rotary movement, a flexible' connection therebetween including' a spring plate with its middle portion projecting radially relative to said axis of rotation, to forma double cantaliver extension, the edge of the plate formingone' side of the c'antaliver extension being recessed inwardly l from a point adjacent theconncction of 'sald 410v extension with the adj acentzelement to form a'curv'e.` v .5.- In a devicev of the class described, the

4combination of a driven anddriving element mounted for rotary movement, .fa flexible connection ,therebetween includlng a spring plate with ,its middle portion projectingradially relative to said axisvof rotation' to form aA double contaliver extension, the edge'of the plate forming one slde -of vthe'cantaliver extension being recessed *inwardly'from a ,point adjacent the conwardly 'from' oppositerends of the V andv i "cast-on hubs secured to said end portions and constituting power i members each rigidly connecte'dto the spring. member.

' `in section. and end portions-'extending outwardly from opposite end sof 'the V.' castits greatest cross-secon hubs securedto said end portions and 'constituting power members each rigidly connected to the spring member, a-nd means for reinforcing the' connection of the hubs with the adjacent side of the spring plate member, said means being positioned in the angles between the hubs and the said adjacent Sides. i

8. In an elastic shaft coupling, two hubs and a plate vspring structure connectingthe hubs, said structure including flat plates with their end portions secured to said hubs and approximately l-shaped portions connecting the end portions and extending therefrom radially of the axisof rotation of the hubs, and a redundant leaf fitted in the angle between one of the end portions and the adjacent side ofthe radially extending V-shaped portion adapted to avoid local'bending at the anchorage of the spring structure with'the contiguous hub.

v9. In an elastic shaft coupling, two hubs and a laminatedplate spring structure connecting the hubs, said structure including flat plates with their end portions extending tangent to the circle of rotation ofthe hubs and secured to said hubs an-d approximately. V-shap'edl portions connecting the end portions and extending therefrom radi- "ally ofthe axis of rotation of the hubs,ltwo pla-tes constituting an additional lamina of said laminated structure,.'for1ning two re' dunda'ntl plates'at the conjunction of the V shaped' portion and the end portions and adapted to avoid local bending at the angles. 10. In a device of the class described,the combination of a hub member mounted for rotary movement aboutan axis of rotation, a' flat plate spring member secured to said vh1'1b 'me1'nber and having a part extending therefrom ,radially of said axis and a redundant spring plate projecting from the hub and disposedv in the angle formed by the h'ub and said extending part adapted to avoid A.loca'l bending at said angle. f 11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hub member mounted for "rotary movement about an axis ofro'tatiom,

a fiat plate spring member having one end secured to said hub member and a contlnuation -ofl said end extending radially from said vaxis of rotation, and means for mini-' v mizing sharp bending of the spring member at its connection with the hub member.

l2. In a power` transmission device, a'

` laminated spring structure including a plurality of laminas nestedl one on the other, each lamina including straight end portions anda connecting V-sliaped middle portion,

i the lamina on one side of the nest being in'- tercepted at the angle of theV to form two redundant j plates extending across the 'angles-formed bythe end portions and the l adjacentjmiddleportion and means engag- 'Y it;

*1 ing the end portions for securing the lamina iniposition.

13. In a power* transmission device', ya laminatedspring structure including a plurality of laminee nested one on the other, each lamina vincluding straight end portions and a connecting V-shaped middle portion, the outermost lamina on one sidev of the nest being intercepted at the 'angle of the V to'A form two redundant plates extending across Vthe angles formed by the end portions and the adjacent mid-dle portion and cast-on members Aengaging said end portions' for securing the lamina in position.-

' 14. lApower transmission coupling includ- -ing a' spring'plate having an end portionmounted 4for rotary movement aboutl an axis of rotation and a'V-shaped portion constituting a continuation of the endpbrtion-'and extending radially of the axis of rotation, said V-shapedportion formed of at sides connected along acommon rounded crewn edge, characterized by a curvature, the di ameter .of which is small thereby to form a relatively ,sharp edge but which curvature is not less than the -curvature permitted by the ductility of the metal.

.15. A power transmission couplingincluding a spring plate having an end portion -mounted for rotary movement about an axis of rotation and a Vshaped portion constituting a continuation of the end-por tions and extending radially of the axis of rotation, the V-shaped portion formed of; fla-t sides -connected integrally along a mm# mon sharp'crown edge. J f

` I 16.- A power transmission coupling'i including a spring structure having endy mem- ,bvers each designed to rotate about its`,respe'cf- 'tive axesof rotation.n and a ,V.-sha'ped pant .,conne'cting the lnd- ,members and .extending `in a general 'lateral d1rect1o'n.from the; axes ot-"rotation, said Vashaped @extension havin its materialdisposed to simulate abenm have',

clud'ing' a spring structure having end memei bersv each'` designed-tofiotatezaboiit itsref spective' faxes of rotation fanda{.Vshapedxv part connecting the'end'l membersand', e X`-" f tending in a general. lateral, direct-ion fomj the axesfof rotation-,said extension having .a greater cross-sectional area-fof materlal at the jointure ofwthe'v extension' with each of .and extending radially of the-axis'of tion, the `Vshaped, portion formedf lia'nl sides connected integrally along-5a lemmene the end xmembers than at'other 4p i'iints""bef ytween the. j ointure's.

18; A power .-transmission coupling ine eluding a spring plate ha-vingan'end'po-rl-'jv` ytion mounted f or'rotarylmovement aboutan I axis of .rotation and. a V-shaped portiony cn-A stituting a. continuation of the end portion A"fpowe r transmission coupling in`- terence sharp crown edge, the extension 'having a, greater cross-sectional-area ef'finateral ,at the crownV edge than-iatL-fapoint ji'itei the crown edge and v.the-fend. portio 19. A power transmissionfcoii ,n'g'including a spring structure havinguen'd mem.

bers each designed to rotate-about itsv ref spective axes of rotation and a il-shaped part connecting. the'endjmembers 'and extending in a general lateraldirection from the axes of rotation, said V-shaped extension having a greater cross-sectionalarea'of material adjacent tire endmembers andl at the angle of the V than at points intermediate the angle and the end members.

20. A power transmission coupling in-` cluding a spring structure having end menibers each designed torotate about its respective axes of rotation and a V-sha'ped art connecting the end members and extending ina general lateral direction from the axes @deeof rotation", s'aid'V-shaped extension having two points of minimum cross section dis osed between three points" of. ymaxim'un'a cross-section.

21. ln a device of the class described, the

' `combination of asingle spring member in-- cluding space d'end parts, each designed/to rotate about its respective. axis and an intermediate part extending laterally of the axisof rotation, and means associated with said member for minimizing sharp bending fof' the same when said end members are moved angularly relative to each other,

22.' In an elastic shaft coupling,`the'.com

bination of a spring member includingan' end member and a il-shaped extension inL tegral therewith, saidfextensionihaving vafriable cross-sectional' areas-withthe maximum crossfseetional-Jarea adjacent the confnectionl thereolfwth theendy member and 1 'a-l 1'1'ib member containing the end member and thejuncture ofthe-end member with :the extension.

' 23tliaamelasticshaft coupling, the comv binationfot'Y spring member including Ian ,hub member andthe? endmember.

24.' In arl-elastic; shaft coupling-the come. binatieI1 o f,- .spring member cens'isting oi" :al .plurality of laminatio'ns' having end 'mem-4," bere-andra A'connecting' 'iv-shaped part ex'f) tending, laa'aira'll .\,rf-'` from the f end. members withthe mid-portions thereofextending to Athe Ajoutside of.-.the projected outlines @fthe en member-s, and hub members nelsng the en'd members, and acting thereon to pre-.-

vent lrelative movement. between the hub member and the lamnations of its contained 5 end member.`

-2.5. a device of the dass described,-

I(ghe combination of two spaced castings constituting' hub members and t connecting V- shaped sprlng member ha-Vingits oppo'ste I ends let into the castings and secured therein in the act` of forming the castings.

Signed at Keyport in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey this twentysecond day of May A. D. 1920.

ROLAND CHILTON. 

